JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The University of Louisiana Monroe volleyball team recorded its first victory of the 2017 season, defeating Mississippi Valley in straight sets (25-17, 25-15, 25-13), 3-0, Friday morning in the opening match of the Jefferson's & State Farm Invitational.
 
As a team, ULM hit a season-high .307 (42-11-101), including an impressive .414 (15-3-29) in the third set. MVSU (1-6) managed to hit -.010 for the match, with 22 kills on 101 attempts and 23 errors.
 
Six different ULM players hit better than .300 for the match, including senior Taylor Wood .714 (5-0-7), senior Jennifer McClendon .562 (11-2-16), senior Kalena Caruthers .462 (7-1-13), freshman Lauren Appelman .455 (.6-1-11), sophomore Mikaela Worley .400 (7-1-15) and red-shirt sophomore Catherine Griffith (3-0-9). Wood (match-best 4 blocks) and junior Sara Woods combined to account for seven blocks. Junior Presleigh Williams recorded 11 assists while senior Kacey LeBlanc was credited with a match-best 18 digs.
 
"It's always good to get that first win," ULM head coach Patrick Hiltz said. "Hopefully, we can use this as a catalyst to several more now.
 
"During the first two sets, we still had some of the same issues we've dealing with all season, but we were able to still score enough with our offense, especially with Presleigh's (Williams) serving and some good transition plays.
 
"In the third set, everything that was an issue in the first two sets was cleaned up nicely. Sarah's (Woods) blocking was an issue for them and led to some easy defensive plays that we transitioned for points. Taylor (Wood) stepped up big in the third set as well, especially when it came time to close out the match. It was really good to see her find some success. Our outsides all did very well. They scored when our setters set them up and took care of the ball appropriately when the situation called for it."
 
ULM (1-8) returns to action Friday at 2 p.m. for a second-round match against Alcorn State.

"We need to be better this afternoon, but our energy coming off this win should allow us to focus in and play even better in our second match (of the tournament)," Hiltz said.